On the heels of New England's take-no-prisoners romp over the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday's AFC title game, Patriots receiver Julian Edelman knew who to thank first: his quarterback.
"Tom Brady is Tom Brady," Edelman said, per CSN New England. "He was a sixth-round draft pick. A lot of people passed up on him. He's a Super Bowl Champion, Super Bowl MVP. He's been in a bunch of Super Bowls and he could care less about all of that. He just cares about winning the next game.
"That's our leader and that's why you have a guy like that leading us. He's an unbelievable person and I truly love that man. I do. It's great to have him a part of this team."
Edelman was a late-round draft pick himself, transforming himself from a college quarterback at Kent State into a kick-returning whirlwind and New England's most reliable wideout. Danny Amendola netted the big contract before last season to step into the shoes of the departed Wes Welker, but Edelman is the one who brings weekly consistency to the passing game. Amendola's 81 receptions over two season is fewer than Edelman had this season (92) or last (105).
Edelman and Brady have formed an on-field bond that paid off against Indy's lost secondary on Sunday to the tune of a team-leading nine catches for 98 yards. No other Patriots target had more than three grabs.
New England's roster is full of these players, giving us a game on Sunday in which two of the first three Patriots touchdowns went to little-used James Develin and eligible offensive tackle Nate Solder. Edelman tried to sum why this works for his team when so many others can't make it click.
"I guess it means (that) you bring the lunch pail to work, the helmet," Edelman explained. "You go work, you prepare, you get yelled at all, you do all of this kind of stuff. You work extra, you watch more film, and it's for situations and things like this to go and play in the last game of the year. That's what I think being a Patriot means."
The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps Championship Sunday, and breaks down the Seahawks' historic comeback against the Packers. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
